When she opened the Mother’s Day gift, she took a breath. Inside the box was a Living Locket with birthstones – symbolizing Karen and her daughters. It was an unexpected gesture from her oldest daughter, Liz, one that struck her heart deeply. It was the first of many little miracles that began to heal the mother and daughter relationship, all thanks to Origami Owl®.

For nearly three decades their mother and daughter relationship had been estranged, torn and complicated when Karen and Liz’s dad divorced back in the 80s. A couple years later, a then-12-year-old Liz chose to live with her dad in California, while Karen raised her youngest in Idaho.

A DOOR OPENS

Fast forward to 2014, when Liz reached out to her mom to let her know she was joining Origami Owl as a Designer, and she was hoping Karen could help her share Origami Owl with her friends and family in Idaho.

“Longing to gain a better mother and daughter relationship, I jumped on the opportunity,” said Karen. “I hosted parties with her, gained new buyers, and continued to help as much as I could while still living several states away. I informed her that I would continue to help her, but I was absolutely NOT going to be roped into the endeavor with her.”

By Christmas that year, Karen had become an Origami Owl devotee. When she saw a special offer, she knew she couldn’t pass it up. “It was the Holly Jolly Box – $199 for over $700’s worth of jewelry; for me this was pretty much a no-brainer. Again, I really just thought I would take the jewelry and add it to my current collection. I signed up, reminding Liz I was much too busy to sell and that she should stop thinking about trying to encourage me,” said Karen.

As a full-time employment specialist, Karen meant what she said. She didn’t think she had any extra time – or interest – in growing her Origami Owl business. But then, Liz invited Karen to join her in Chicago for Origami Owl’s Convention the next summer. “Several days with my daughter?! Absolutely! I quickly agreed, but reminded her I did not have time nor a desire to participate as a designer in Origami Owl – this was her thing,” said Karen.

THE CONNECTION GROWS

In Chicago, though, things started to change. “The more breakout sessions that I attended at the Convention with her, the more I came to love Origami Owl,” said Karen. “The jewelry, the camaraderie, and the life-changing and inspiring Designers all helped me feel like I could and should be more involved. Above all else, the prospect of bringing our mother and daughter relationship closer made the idea even more appealing.”

Karen went home and decided to focus on Origami Owl, with the goal of earning the incentive trip so she could join her daughter in Cancun. She quickly went from Leading Designer to Team Leader … and she just recently celebrated her promotion to Senior Team Leader – the same month Liz promoted to Executive Team Leader.

LOVE HEALS

Karen said, “Since becoming a Designer with Origami Owl, Liz and I have grown even closer together. The relationship I had with her that was dampened by divorce has not only re-grown, but has become stronger than ever! Through Origami Owl, I have found joy, peace and closeness with Liz I never thought I would have again. I earned my first incentive trip to an amazing location in Cancun February 2016. So did Liz; we made great memories and shared several tears on the beach while just enjoying one another’s company.”

Since Karen’s “live sparkly” joy comes from being close to her kids and grandkids, she is overwhelmed by the turn of events that transformed her mother and daughter relationship with Liz. As they recently soaked in more time together at Origami Owl’s Convention in Orlando, Karen said of Liz, “She has taught me to be consistent. She has taught me perseverance. She is teaching me to be a leader. She continually blows my mind.” At Origami Owl, where our mission is to “love, inspire and motivate” others, we couldn’t be more grateful to have been a part of bringing this mother and daughter – two women who have become uplifting Origami Owl leaders themselves – closer together.